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Exhibition Game #04 Preview and GDT: Winnipeg Jets at Calgary Flames

The Winnipeg Jets play in their fourth preseason game, and the first since making training camp cuts yesterday.

In all, 17 players got the axe on Saturday. Of the 11 reassigned to the Manitoba Moose, only Patrice Cormier had any imaginable shot at cracking Winnipeg's roster. In addition, five players were released to their junior clubs, in Jansen Harkins, Matteo Gennaro, Luke Green, Jordy Stallard and Michael Spacek.

With these cuts, there are 25 forwards, 13 defencemen and four goalies at camp. Which is to say, subsequent exhibition games still matter for a good number of players remaining.

For tonight's match against the Calgary Flames, the experiment of pairing Patrik Laine and Joel Armia continues, this time with Bryan Little serving as pivot. Fans may also be treated to another fourth line possibility, if Brandon Tanev skates alongside Adam Lowry and Alexander Burmistrov. Tanev's preseason has been something of a revelation, showcasing the speed and drive which for most, were previously mere words on various scouting reports. It would be a mistake to overestimate his ceiling, but it's clear that he brings tangible positives to the table.

Difficult decisions come with the territory of legitimate forward depth, and Tanev has made a solid case for himself. Whether it's enough to beat out some of the other names on tonight's roster remains to be seen.

Like Tanev, Josh Morrissey will be playing in his fourth preseason tilt. Beyond that, the less said about Winnipeg's defence tonight, the better. It's a lineup which wouldn't look out of place with the Manitoba Moose.

The plan is for Ondrej Pavelec to play the entire game, facing off against Chad Johnson of "Hi, I'm Chad Johnson" fame. On Calgary's side, old friend Michael Frolik is making his preseason debut, along with Mikael Backlund. The Flames' forward and d-corps are both solid enough so far as exhibition action goes, and should make for a stiff challenge.

Keep an eye on Calgary's third pairing of Nicklas Grossman and Mikhail Grigoriev. Grossman may be facing the end of his NHL career, while the largely unknown Grigoriev is looking to begin his at the ripe old age of 25.

When, Where & How

Sunday, Oct. 02, 8:00 p.m. CT, Scotiabank Saddledome
TV: TSN3
Radio: TSN 1290, Sportsnet 960 The FAN

Winnipeg Jets Projected Lineup

Left Wing Centre Right Wing
Patrik Laine Bryan Little Joel Armia
Brandon Tanev Adam Lowry Alexander Burmistrov
Scott Kosmachuk Andrew Copp Marko Dano
Chris Thorburn Chase De Leo JC Lipon
Left Defence
Right Defence
Josh Morrissey Paul Postma
Mark Stuart Ben Chiarot
Julian Melchiori Brian Strait
Goaltenders
Ondrej Pavelec
Eric Comrie

Calgary Flames Projected Lineup

Left Wing Centre Right Wing
Lauri Korpikoski Mikael Backlund Michael Frolik
Lance Bouma Matt Stajan Linden Vey
Matthew Tkachuk Sam Bennett Alex Chiasson
Brandon Bollig Freddie Hamilton Emile Poirier
Left Defence
Right Defence
TJ Brodie Dennis Wideman
Jyrki Jokipakka Brett Kulak
Nicklas Grossman Mikhail Grigoriev
Goaltenders
Chad Johnson
Jon Gillies
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